Tea for Texas

Iced tea, at least in our family, is a minefield of personal, picky choices. Mom will only drink it plain, but Cousin Steph wants it as sugary as corn syrup, with three lemons. Some won't touch it unless it's made with actual sugar; others stir in three packets of saccharin. Purists want sun tea; the impatient rush to make concentrate in the microwave. And no one but the hippie daughter wants anything other than Lipton or Luziannenone of that froufrou white, green or, God forbid, herbal tea. Artist Jim Burton makes a strong statement (but apparently not strong tea) in naming his latest exhibit Good Sweet Tea Is Nearly the Color of Burlap. Well, sir, that would be some pretty dainty tea in my family, where we believe good sweet tea should be about the hue of West Texas red dirt. Make no mistake, though: Burton's no Yankee. His artwork, including pieces named "Bubba" and "Revival," draws inspiration from cultural images, symbols and sayings from his Southern upbringing. See if you like the color of Jim Burton's tea noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December 2 at 500X Gallery, 500 Exposition Ave. Call 214-828-1111 or visit 500x.org. Saturdays, Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Starts: Nov. 10. Continues through Dec. 2, 2007